Samsung has released its first comment regarding the EU antitrust investigation that was announced this week. The investigation, which grew out of Apple and Samsung's escalating legal battle, will decide whether Samsung's attempts to enforce several 3G patents violate an agreement it made to provide the patents to other companies on "fair and reasonable" terms. In a statement issued today, Samsung said it was "confident that its approach regarding the enforcement of its 3G standard-essential patents is consistent with all applicable antitrust principles," and that "upon the scrutiny of the facts, the commission will conclude that Samsung Electronics has acted in compliance with EU competition rules."

Obviously, Samsung wouldn't be expressing doubt even if it weren't sure of a favorable ruling. But with several days having passed since the initial announcement, this is the first time that the company has acknowledged that it's under investigation.